RILEY HILL—HARD TIMES ON RILEY HILL—Swollen Records SW160658. Riley Hill is an artist from northern California who has put together a cadre of well-known pickers from around the country to produce his first solo release. Helpers on this project include seasoned musicians Matt Hooper, Jack Hicks, David Thom, Ryan Breen, Paul Shelasky, and Bobby Davis. Hill pulls material from a variety of sources from the traditional, to folk, to classic rock. Selections include Dylan’s “It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry,” Bill Monroe’s “Tombstone Junction,” Mac Martin’s “When The Cold Rain Is Falling,” Benny Martin’s “Your Love Is Dying.” There are also the traditional “Peggy-O” and a couple of tunes from Pete Goble & Leroy Drumm, “You Can Keep Your Nine Pound Hammer” and “I’m Leaving You And Mobile Too.” Hill plays guitar and/or mandolin and sings lead and harmony on most cuts, backed by the bandmembers. (Riley Hill Band, 32299 Hwy. 12, Cloverdale, CA 95425.)

LOUIE LUDWIG WITH THE MOSS PICKERS—ELEVATION 13—ZZI Music ZZI042115. Louisianan Louie Ludwig is primarily a singer/songwriter in the folk vein and has been writing and performing for around thirty years. This latest project includes a group of musicians called the Moss Pickers, which include Clay Parker (guitars), Matt Sylvest (bass), Patrick Sylvest (resonator guitar, guitar), and Billy Finney (guitars, banjo). Background vocals are provided by Clay Parker, Patrick Sylvest and Billy Finney. Guests include Brent Melancon (guitar), Gina Forsyth (fiddle), Dayna Kurtz (vocals), Theresa Anderson (vocals), Bart Ramsey (accordion), and Anders Osborne (vocals). This is an all-original project of Ludwig’s songs and offers a good look into his writing. Selections include “(Why Do) Crows (Always Seem To Come Out On Cloudy Days),” “Death And The Devil,” “Highway 61 Memories,” “Nobody,” “Once Upon A Mountain,” and “You’ll Make It Through Somehow.” Ludwig’s approach is rather laid-back, and he uses Patrick Sylvest’s resonator guitar throughout many of the arrangements. This is not a bluegrass project, but there may be some material that could be of interest to some. (ZZI Music, P.O. Box 19726, New Orleans, LA 70179.)

LORI KING & JUNCTION 63—GRANDPA’S OLD GUITAR—JLK Records D1-090466. Lori King and her husband, Joe, have a nice project of mostly original material from both, along with a couple or tunes from mandolinist Kevin Amburgey. Also in the studio was Joe Dean (banjo), Chuck Millar (fiddle), and Glen Harrell (fiddle). Lori King plays upright bass and Joe plays guitar. Originals include “I’ve Been Known To Lie,” “Send My Baby Home,” “How Can I Blame You,” “Just Like My Daddy,” and title “Grandpa’s Old Guitar.” Songs from Amburgey are “Remember Me” and “What He Could Have Done” and there is a nice cover of John Pennell’s “Foolish Heart.” Nice harmonies and good instrumentation makes this new project a pleasant listen. (JLK Records, 102 E Walnut St., Drakesville, IA 52552, www.junction63.com)